Regulatory Negotiations

In an effort to establish more effective regulatory rules and to decrease potential litigation costs from unilateral rule implementation, many agencies use regulatory negotiations rather than a traditional rulemaking process. In the regulatory negotiation process, FMCS, as a neutral third party, facilitates discussion and assists the negotiating working group to identify and overcome barriers that arise in multiparty negotiations. FMCS convening and facilitation establishes an environment in which negotiated rulemaking working groups can use the expertise of all involved stakeholders to reach a proposed rule by consensus. For frequently asked questions, click here.